Friedsburg Days

Wayne & I went to the 150th Anniversary of Dashwood where they were celebrating "Friedsburg Days". With craft vendors, bake sale tables, tug o'war competition, antique car show, lunch booth, crokinole tournament, live music and of course a beer tent, most people were able to find something to occupy their day.

Overall we had a good afternoon. As I was walking around, it got me keen for the annual Bean Festival that Zurich holds.

Blessings

Matt and Jane

Dear friends of ours puppy-sat for us on Krystle & Gerard's wedding day. And as a way of saying thank you we went out to dinner. We went to Hessenland Country Inn and enjoyed a delicious "Mongolian Grill" and great conversation. It was wonderful to catch up with each other. Jane surprised me with a collage of photos of Sasha and explained that she was such an easy dog to look after. Jane told me the picture in the middle of Sasha sitting on the table is her favourite. She didn't want to look at Sasha or say anything when she walked by as she wanted to get her camera to take this photo. Both Matt and Jane said they'd be happy to puppy-sit for us again; which is good to know. With both boys leaving for school in the fall and Krystle & Gerard have a no pets rule at their apartment we need a place for our puppy to go and to have a peace of mind knowing she'll be well taken care of.

Blessings

The Beauty around us.....

Too often we get caught up in the busyness of life that we fail to notice the beauty that's around us; often just outside our own doors. When the kids were little I was fascinated by their fascination of stuff - the bugs that crawled, the flowers, the baby kitties, the calves running in the field, the well you get the idea.... At some point along the way I've allowed to many other things to clutter my mind and have therefore lost focus.

It seems in the arly morning before my mind starts with the days events, I have a clearer perception of the things around me. My plan today is to intentionally focus on the beauty that's around me and try not to get caught up in the busyness, that I've allowed to consume me.

Since I like every post to have a picture, I quickly went out and captured these photos of the beautiful flowers I have in my flowerbeds. Enjoy!
Nikko Blue Hydrangea Foxglove Rose of Sharon Blessings

Coffee Culture

When Krystle lived in Cambridge I used to drive there just to spend the day with her. We'd end up running errands, do some shopping and of course always get a Starbucks treat. Since Krystle & Gerard live in Exeter, we're able to visit together more often without having to make that lo-o-ong drive. I love it!

Today was her day off from work and she invited me to join her at Coffee Culture for a little treat and of course great conversation.

She was putting the final touches to one of the four meals she made to put in the freezer when I met her at their apartment. She was proud to announce that not only did she get meals made but she also cleaned the whole apartment all to be done by 3 so we'd have time for tea. It's a proud feeling I get when I watch Krystle balance her life as a new bride with work & home.

Blessings

Pinery

Yesterday afternoon, Wayne & I spent the afternoon at the Pinery provincial park, visiting my sister & her family as well as my Mom & Dad.

Having never been to the Pinery, I wasn't sure what to expect. As we enter the park and drive through the winding road through the forest I was a little nervous about losing my bearings and getting lost. After settling in to the camp site, we enjoyed our time with biking and of course taking Miss Sasha for a long walk. As we toured the the park, I was less daunted as we soon learned our way around.

We BBQ'd supper and enjoyed eating it outside. Of course no camp experience is complete without a campfire, a perfect way to end the day.

Blessings

There is a season.....

Watching as the wheat is being combined I can't help but think about the passage in Ecclesiastes 3, where it states For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven .... a time to plant and a time to harvest. It was back in October that Wayne faithfully planted this wheat seed, knowing that if the seeds are good they will sprout and grow. He patiently waited as the rain came, the snow covered it, watched as it matured, until it was time to harvest it.

Wayne has the heart of a farmer; he loves planting, tilling, plowing, harvesting, haying, absolutely everything there is about farming. While each season of farming brings different challenges, his patience throughout it all is remarkable. I doubt there is anything else he would rather do.

Blessings

Dinner Time

We were invited to Krystle & Gerard's apartment for dinner last night. It was so exciting, not only getting to go out for dinner but also to see their new place all finished and being lived in. Krystle served a delicious dinner of Swedish Meatballs, Steamed Rice & Tossed Salad, we finished off dinner with a Lemon Meringue Pie. mmhmmm mmhmm good! After dinner and once all the dishes were cleaned up we played a game of 'Blokus' which Gerard won. Unfortunately, I totally forgot my camera, so Internet photos will have to do.

What a tremendous blessing it was to spend time with the kids as we like to call them. I'm so lookimg forward to the next time and the next and the..... well you get the idea.

Blessings

Holy Cow!

Meet Daisy Lou, Buttercup & Steve.Shortly after Wayne & I were married we bought the family dairy farm. Having grown up a town girl, I was unaccustomed to country living. From the quiet of the county to that 'fresh' air that only comes the country, were things I had to get used to.

Even though we're no longer dairy farmers, one of things I did enjoy and continue with, is my collection of Dairy cows. Not only do I have them outside, but I also have them throughout the inside of the house as well, and yes, I do name them all. >.<

It's been 12 years (today) since we lost our dairy barn in a fire, and I must admit there are time when I miss it. But I beleive that God knows the plans he has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans for a hope and a future.(~Jeremiah 29:11)

Blessings

Birthday with B & B

We celebrated my brother's birthday today. A few days early but it's the day that worked best for all of us.My brother, sister and I get together, three times a year, just us, to celebrate our birthdays. Believe it or not but it was Barry's idea, and Becky & I both thought is was a great opportunity for us to stay connected.

We take turns hosting & paying for each other's birthday. This time it was my turn, so they drove up this way and we went to Grand Bend and enjoyed a delicious lunch at J Dee's. However in the short 2 hour lunch we didn't quite get all caught up, so we moved ourselves over to Tim Horton's for another hour to finish catching up.

My siblings are one of the many blessings in my life and I'm thankful that each of us realize the importance of keeping connected. So until the next birthday. . . . . Cheers!Blessings

Photographer

My cousin Sandra is very talented photographer. I borrowed this from her website ^.^ As she began her own photography business I helped her out as her "girl friday". I would carry the necessary equipment, hold umbrellas, use the shade cover if needed, take a few photos ~ usually from the back or off to the side, basically doing whatever she needed me to. I loved hanging out with Sandra as it gave us a great opportunity to stay connected. After a couple years though, Sandra's business really took off as it will with any good photographer and she was becoming super busy (over 30 weddings in one season) and unfortunately I was unable to continue.

Her website is one I check daily to see the updates from weddings to babies to engagements, any and all sessions that she does. I'm totally amazed at her ability to make each session unique to each situation.

As I was viewing her site tonight, I was excited to see her gallery of photos from Krystle & Gerard's wedding. These are absolutely amazing!!! (but then I might be a little biased) The slide show at the end totally captures their day.

Well done Sandra!!!

Blessings

Advice

During the reception at Krystle & Gerard's wedding, the wedding party got up and sang this song to the newyweds.

Absolutely hilarious!

Blessings

Christmas in July

The honeymooners returned today. They came by the house for a visit and to open the presents from the wedding. We invited Gerard's family over and it was a great afternoon of visiting together to reminisce about the wedding, while they opened their many gifts. With everything they got, I'm sure it must have felt a little Christmas.

Blessings

One week

Exactly one week ago, at this precise time we were walking our daughter down the aisle to her groom. It was an incredibly emotional time for us.

We are extremely blessed to have three kids, but alas, only one girl. And unless the boys want us to walk them down the aisle when that time comes and I hope it does this was probably our only opportunity to walk someone down the aisle.

It was a moment, I'll soon not forget.

Blessings

Canada Day

We are extremely lucky, no that's not right, I don't believe in luck, I guess the word would be fortunate, yeah that's a better word, we are extremely fortunate to live a country that allows so many freedoms. Freedom of speech, of religion, of peaceful asembly, that slavery has been abolished. I don't know about you, but I've never gone to bed hungry (except by choice) never really been too cold, or too hot. I haven't had to deal with soldiers in my back yard or have had to flee with only the clothes on my back.

Living in Canada definitely has it's perks. I wonder why then we do this to ourselves?

A little upsetting, wouldn't you agree?

Blessings